Changes in Interprofessional Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Effect on Patient Outcomes

Abstract

Background Changes in healthcare delivery were required during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the approach to care of the COVID-19 patient on nursing sensitive indicators and nutrition therapy and the utilization of rehabilitation services during the first year of the pandemic in the acute care setting. Method A retrospective study of 894 patients admitted with a COVID-19 diagnosis was conducted between March 2020 and February 2021 in 3-month cohorts. All charts were reviewed for general demographics and hospital data, nursing quality indicators, and nutritional and rehabilitation services for the first 30 days of admission. Results Differences in patient characteristics were noted among the cohorts. Variations were observed between time points in hospital-acquired pressure injury occurrence, with mechanical ventilation and proning being independent predictors of hospital-acquired pressure injuries. There were differences noted in the percentage of patients with a central line–associated bloodstream infection among the time points (P < .001), but there were no differences noted in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (P = .20). Overall, 15.5% had a malnutrition diagnosis, with most patients receiving 50% of prescribed calorie and protein needs. Rehabilitation services increased over time with these services being initiated earlier in the later cohorts (P < .001). Discussion The results of this study demonstrated the impact of the pandemic on outcomes in the areas of nursing, nutrition, and rehabilitation, which varied across quarterly cohorts as we learned and developed new practices and adapted to a novel pandemic.